Trunk essentials

[Anonymous]

Young driver just got their first car.

What needs to be in the trunk (for safety/emergencies)?

Right now it is empty (except for, I presume, the spare).

[Anonymous]

Jump start cables/set

First aid kit

[Anonymous]

This is probably an over-complete list, but everything is useful.

Goal:

1. Communications
2. Safety
3. Shelter/clothes
4. Sustenance
5. Minor emergency repair

Breakdown kit:

You can buy these commercially but you may need to add some stuff. You need QUALITY jumper cables; 12 volt air pump; some wire (maybe coat hanger or a little thinner); duct tape (needs periodic replacement); tire gauge; tools for whatever reasonable roadside repairs driver is capable of.

Jumper box with self contained battery is nice.

Flares if driver knows how to use them.

Sand/kitty litter in winter.

Non-perishable snack that can take summer heat.

Bottled water

Paper towels.

Spare bulbs if you want to be really thorough.

In winter spare warm/dry clothes and footwear.

Old blanket for changing tires, etc.

Folding shovel

“Recovery” strap for pulling out of the mud.

Umbrella

Baseball hat

Work gloves

Rubber gloves

Some people keep an old charged cell phone.

First aid: these run from tiny boo boo kits to portable field hospitals. Be reasonable but you may need to stop serious bleeding.

[Anonymous]

I have a snow brush in my trunk. In the winter, I move it inside the car.

[Anonymous]

When my kids were young drivers, I gave them a $20 bill in an envelope and told them to keep it in the glove compartment. This was for gas if they forgot their wallet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is probably an over-complete list, but everything is useful.

Goal:

1. Communications
2. Safety
3. Shelter/clothes
4. Sustenance
5. Minor emergency repair

Breakdown kit:

You can buy these commercially but you may need to add some stuff. You need QUALITY jumper cables; 12 volt air pump; some wire (maybe coat hanger or a little thinner); duct tape (needs periodic replacement); tire gauge; tools for whatever reasonable roadside repairs driver is capable of.

Jumper box with self contained battery is nice.

Flares if driver knows how to use them.

Sand/kitty litter in winter.

Non-perishable snack that can take summer heat.

Bottled water

Paper towels.

Spare bulbs if you want to be really thorough.

In winter spare warm/dry clothes and footwear.

Old blanket for changing tires, etc.

Folding shovel

“Recovery” strap for pulling out of the mud.

Umbrella

Baseball hat

Work gloves

Rubber gloves

Some people keep an old charged cell phone.

First aid: these run from tiny boo boo kits to portable field hospitals. Be reasonable but you may need to stop serious bleeding.

This would be great if you live in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone service and you get 6+ week of snow a winter. Other than that it's insanity.

[Anonymous]

I keep a multi tool, a first aid kit, a reflective triangle, some towels and hand sanitizer. And trash bags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep a multi tool, a first aid kit, a reflective triangle, some towels and hand sanitizer. And trash bags.

No jumper cables? No flashlight? No water?

[Anonymous]

P.S. Keep the flashlight in a bag with the batteries not installed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is probably an over-complete list, but everything is useful.

Goal:

1. Communications
2. Safety
3. Shelter/clothes
4. Sustenance
5. Minor emergency repair

Breakdown kit:

You can buy these commercially but you may need to add some stuff. You need QUALITY jumper cables; 12 volt air pump; some wire (maybe coat hanger or a little thinner); duct tape (needs periodic replacement); tire gauge; tools for whatever reasonable roadside repairs driver is capable of.

Jumper box with self contained battery is nice.

Flares if driver knows how to use them.

Sand/kitty litter in winter.

Non-perishable snack that can take summer heat.

Bottled water

Paper towels.

Spare bulbs if you want to be really thorough.

In winter spare warm/dry clothes and footwear.

Old blanket for changing tires, etc.

Folding shovel

“Recovery” strap for pulling out of the mud.

Umbrella

Baseball hat

Work gloves

Rubber gloves

Some people keep an old charged cell phone.

First aid: these run from tiny boo boo kits to portable field hospitals. Be reasonable but you may need to stop serious bleeding.

This would be great if you live in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone service and you get 6+ week of snow a winter. Other than that it's insanity.

Nobody asked you. “The middle of nowhere with no cell service” can be anywhere the signal gets interrupted. Or the battery goes dead. Not everybody confines their driving to well lit city roads in perfect condition.

[Anonymous]

In addition to what others have suggested:

Sleeping bag or blankets and a pillow.

Umbrella.

Change of clothes.

[Anonymous]

I have a dog leash and a blanket for the dog in the cargo area of my car.
That’s it.
In the winter I might throw in an ice scraper/snow remover thingy….

I do keep first aid stuff including a cpr mask and a seat belt cutter in the glove compartment. As well as emergency straws from Starbucks in case I get a drink from a drive thru with paper straws…..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is probably an over-complete list, but everything is useful.

Goal:

1. Communications
2. Safety
3. Shelter/clothes
4. Sustenance
5. Minor emergency repair

Breakdown kit:

You can buy these commercially but you may need to add some stuff. You need QUALITY jumper cables; 12 volt air pump; some wire (maybe coat hanger or a little thinner); duct tape (needs periodic replacement); tire gauge; tools for whatever reasonable roadside repairs driver is capable of.

Jumper box with self contained battery is nice.

Flares if driver knows how to use them.

Sand/kitty litter in winter.

Non-perishable snack that can take summer heat.

Bottled water

Paper towels.

Spare bulbs if you want to be really thorough.

In winter spare warm/dry clothes and footwear.

Old blanket for changing tires, etc.

Folding shovel

“Recovery” strap for pulling out of the mud.

Umbrella

Baseball hat

Work gloves

Rubber gloves

Some people keep an old charged cell phone.

First aid: these run from tiny boo boo kits to portable field hospitals. Be reasonable but you may need to stop serious bleeding.

This would be great if you live in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone service and you get 6+ week of snow a winter. Other than that it's insanity.

Nobody asked you. “The middle of nowhere with no cell service” can be anywhere the signal gets interrupted. Or the battery goes dead. Not everybody confines their driving to well lit city roads in perfect condition.

TRIGGERED!!!
lol "Not everybody confines their driving to well lit city roads in perfect condition." Have you ever been to a city? Because it sounds like you haven't! lol lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is probably an over-complete list, but everything is useful.

Goal:

1. Communications
2. Safety
3. Shelter/clothes
4. Sustenance
5. Minor emergency repair

Breakdown kit:

You can buy these commercially but you may need to add some stuff. You need QUALITY jumper cables; 12 volt air pump; some wire (maybe coat hanger or a little thinner); duct tape (needs periodic replacement); tire gauge; tools for whatever reasonable roadside repairs driver is capable of.

Jumper box with self contained battery is nice.

Flares if driver knows how to use them.

Sand/kitty litter in winter.

Non-perishable snack that can take summer heat.

Bottled water

Paper towels.

Spare bulbs if you want to be really thorough.

In winter spare warm/dry clothes and footwear.

Old blanket for changing tires, etc.

Folding shovel

“Recovery” strap for pulling out of the mud.

Umbrella

Baseball hat

Work gloves

Rubber gloves

Some people keep an old charged cell phone.

First aid: these run from tiny boo boo kits to portable field hospitals. Be reasonable but you may need to stop serious bleeding.

This would be great if you live in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone service and you get 6+ week of snow a winter. Other than that it's insanity.

Nobody asked you. “The middle of nowhere with no cell service” can be anywhere the signal gets interrupted. Or the battery goes dead. Not everybody confines their driving to well lit city roads in perfect condition.

TRIGGERED!!!
lol "Not everybody confines their driving to well lit city roads in perfect condition." Have you ever been to a city? Because it sounds like you haven't! lol lol

Hon, I’ve driven more miles, in more different areas and terrains, in more countries, than you’ll ever see. But you keep laughing. I’ll honk and wave as I zoom by when you’re stuck somewhere.

[Anonymous]

A towel, flashlight, extra tote/shopping bag, jumper cables, and that's it.